Cooperative Office Education: Its Evolution in the Secondary Schools of the United States from 1900-1969.

Donley, Audrey Bell

Using the historical, documentary analysis, and questionnaire methods of research, this study traces the development and evolution of cooperative office education in the secondary schools of the United States from 1900 through 1969. The study was organized under the following topical divisions: (1) Original of Vocational Education, (2) Development of Vocational Education, (3) Emerging of Cooperative Education, (4) Establishment of Cooperative Programs in Business Education, (5) Growth of Cooperative Office Education, and (6) National Overview of Cooperative Office Education. Among the points brought out in the study were: (1) Business education was found only in the technical and commercial secondary schools of the larger cities before the first decade of the 20th century, (2) Although not supported by Federal assistance, business education by 1930 was taking a lead in developing cooperative education programs, (3) Cooperative office education programs most often began in large industrial cities and states, and (4) Since 1963, program objectives have tended to be more student oriented. Recommendations for further research, and for improving cooperative office education are included. (JS)